Victoria, BC…The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades men’s soccer team were defeated by the University of Victoria Vikes, 2-1, in Victoria, BC. The Cascades Canada West record now stands at 1-3-4 for 7 points as hey now trail the Vikes at 5-3-2 for 17 points, by 10 points in the standings, for the third and final Canada West post season berth, in the Pacific Division. The Cascades do have two games at hand.
The Cascades came out slowly today and the defending CIS national champion Vikes were able take advantage early as they created several scoring chances early in the match. The Cascades goalkeeper, Mark Village, Abbotsford, BC kept the powerful Vikes from scoring as he made several great saves on shots from point blank range. The third year general studies major physically stopped two Victoria corner kicks by clearing the ball by himself, once by knocking the ball out of harm and another by leaping over the Vike forwards to gather in the corner kick. Village could not keep Victoria off the scoreboard the entire first half, as Craig Gorman, Victoria, BC beat him on a penalty kick awarded to Victoria for an infraction in the box, midway through the half.
The Vikes kept the pressure on UFV and six minutes later Craig Taylor, Victoria, BC doubled the Vikes lead by scoring off a give away in the Cascade back. Victoria led by two goals at the break. “We had a bad first half today, the team looked a bit disorganized early in the match,” commented UFV Head coach Alan Errington.
The Cascades played better in the second half coming to life and taking some of the play to Victoria. Colton O’Neill, Abbotsford, BC and Ravi Singh, Abbotsford, BC shored up the back and held Victoria’s front line to no shots on goal. Connor O’Neill, Abbotsford, BC shot from 25 yards out beat the Vikes goalkeeper Eliott Mitrou, Victoria, BC to the upper right hand corner to give the Cascades life with 15 minutes remaining.
Victoria would play a perfect final ten minutes to hold off the charging Cascades and preserve the victory. “I was pleased with our team’s performance in the second half. They showed character in coming back, we just missed the tying goal late in the match. We now turn our attention to the two matches in Prince George next weekend,” said Errington.
Village was named the Cascades “player of the match” for his excellent performance in the UFV net. Village faced 19 shots by Victoria.
UFV 0 1 = 1 (1-4-3)
UVic 2 0 = 2 (5-3-2)
Scoring
First Half
23:59 UVic C Gorman (PK)
30:40 UVic C Taylor
Second Half
74:38 UFV CT O’Neill
Goalkeepers:
UFV: M Village 6 saves/ UVic: E Mitrou 1 save
Shots on Goal:
UFV: 6/ UVic: 19
Corner Kicks
UFV: 1/ UVic: 6
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